<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>More and more data are being produced by an increasing number of electronic devices physically surrounding us and on the internet. The large amount of data and the high frequency at which they are produced have resulted in the introduction of the term ‘Big Data’. Because these data reflect many different aspects of our daily lives and because of their abundance and availability, Big Data sources are very interesting from an official statistics point of view. This article discusses the exploration of both opportunities and challenges for official statistics associated with the application of Big Data. Experiences gained with analyses of large amounts of Dutch traffic loop detection records and Dutch social media messages are described to illustrate the topics characteristic of the statistical analysis and use of Big Data.</p></abstract>

More and more data are being produced by an increasing number of electronic devices physically surrounding us and on the internet. The large amount of data and the high frequency at which they are produced have resulted in the introduction of the term ‘Big Data’. Because these data reflect many different aspects of our daily lives and because of their abundance and availability, Big Data sources are very interesting from an official statistics point of view. This article discusses the exploration of both opportunities and challenges for official statistics associated with the application of Big Data. Experiences gained with analyses of large amounts of Dutch traffic loop detection records and Dutch social media messages are described to illustrate the topics characteristic of the statistical analysis and use of Big Data.

Big Data as a Source for Official Statistics

Statistics Netherlands, Division of Process development, IT and methodology P.O. Box 4481, 6401 CZ, Heerlen, The Netherlands.

Statistics Netherlands, Division of Process development, IT and methodology P.O. Box 4481, 6401 CZ, Heerlen, The Netherlands

Journal of Official Statistics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Big Data as a Source for Official Statistics"}

More and more data are being produced by an increasing number of electronic devices physically surrounding us and on the internet. The large amount of data and...

Big Data as a Source for Official Statistics

Published Online: Jun 27, 2015

Page range: 249 - 262

Received: Aug 01, 2013

Accepted: Sep 01, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jos-2015-0016

Keywords
Large data sets, traffic data, social media

© by Piet J.H. Daas

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Big Data as a Source for Official Statistics

Published Online: Jun 27, 2015

Page range: 249 - 262

Received: Aug 01, 2013

Accepted: Sep 01, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jos-2015-0016

KeywordsLarge data sets, traffic data, social media

© by Piet J.H. Daas

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Large data sets, traffic data, social media